Planning a Themed Wedding: The Dos and Don’ts

Planning a Themed Wedding: The Dos and Don’ts

When it comes to planning a themed wedding, it’s all about the details. Be intentional and precise when coordinating the details, and always input your creative ideas to add a personal and unique touch. While you can control what elements go into your wedding, there are certain things you should and shouldn’t do when planning a themed wedding.

The Dos

Select a Theme You Love

When selecting a theme, it’s essential to find one that you love. Think timeless, romantic, or anything that may have a personal meaning to you and your partner. Taking the time to consider the perfect theme for you is important because those details will be woven into every aspect of your ceremony. There are many themes and wedding ideas you can consider that will help your wedding feel tied together.

Here are a few examples:

  • Enchanted Garden
  • Winter Wonderland
  • Black and White
  • All White Affairs
  • Desert Chic
  • Moroccan
  • Boho-chic

Find a Complementary Venue

Finding a complementary venue is key. If you are having a boho-chic wedding, booking your venue at a historical estate or Disney World may be counterproductive. Coordinating your venue and theme is the first step in making your vision come to life. If you want a cohesive look, it’s best to choose a complementary venue.

Here’s a brief outline to give you examples of which venues to choose depending on your theme:

  • Boho/Tropical Themes: Beach, resort, garden
  • Rustic Themes: Historical building, industrial warehouse rental spaces, barn
  • Botanical Themes: Garden villas, outdoor venues, estate houses, vineyards

These are just a few themes and their respective venues. Feel free to ultimately use the venue that you love; just keep in mind your theme and how it will coordinate with the venue.

Include Theme-Related Favors

Theme-related favors are a fun detail that will tie into the theme well. Send your guests home with a small reminder of your big day while presenting another way of incorporating your theme. This allows you to get creative and bring out different elements in your theme. For example, if your theme is Winter Wonderland, you can have small snowflake cookies with your wedding date printed on them in frosting. You could even do a mini snow globe with a figurine of you and your partner inside surrounded by falling snow. There are many ways to get creative and incorporate your theme into your favors.

Hire On-Theme Entertainment

Hiring on-theme entertainment is a fun way to add an interactive element to your themed wedding. If you’re doing a Moroccan theme, you can hire belly dancers. If you’re doing a Disney theme, you can hire Mickey and Minnie characters to take pictures with. Have fun and get creative!

The Don’ts

Don’t Go Overboard

Even though you want to execute the theme well, try not to go overboard. Every detail doesn’t have to align with the theme, especially if you’re not a fan of certain elements. For example, if you don’t like the beach or being surrounded by sand, water, and hot sun, you don’t have to hold your tropical-themed wedding outdoors. You can simply book an indoor venue or an outdoor venue in a shaded area and incorporate florals and tropical colors to tie in the theme.

Make the theme uniquely yours. It’s not required to follow the theme you’re referencing online down to the last detail.

Force Your Guests To Follow the Theme

Even though it’s a great idea to involve your guests by having them wear certain colors or coordinating attire, you shouldn’t force them to follow the theme. It can add stress to your guests by narrowing down the dress code. Since they’re already taking the time to celebrate your union, dressing according to the theme should be encouraged instead of strictly enforced.

Follow a Strict Color Scheme

Following a strict color scheme is never necessary when planning a themed wedding. If you like another color scheme or desire your favorite colors for your wedding rather than what’s typically suggested, you should use your colors. A strict color scheme may limit your creativity. Choose what color palette is most appealing to you and incorporate it into the theme.

A themed wedding can be a lot of fun to plan and rewarding to see executed. Think about the details, stay true to your creative senses, and stick to what you and your partner love the most.

Leaf accent icon

Everyday Bride

Freelance Writer
June 17, 2022

Stay Connected

How To Pick Out the Members of Your Wedding Party

6 Reasons To Write Personalized Wedding Vows

5 Wedding Photography Trends & Why You Should Avoid Them